Dog bite treatment – advice and information

Not only can dogs inflict terrible wounds, but they can also cause infections and long-term psychological damage. If you have been bitten by a dog it is vital that you seek dog bite treatment immediately.

What to do following dog bite:

• At the scene of the injury, try to gather information about the dog that bit you. Knowing what breed of dog bit you will help doctors determine the type of dog bite treatment to be prescribed. For example, if the dog is a stray then rabies treatment may be necessary.
  
  
• It is also important that you get the details of the dog’s owner and any people who witnessed the dog bite.
  
  
• If possible take photos of the scene of the attack and the actual injuries that were inflicted
  
  
• Try to ensure the dog is brought under control so it can’t injure other people

Dog bite treatment

• Initial wound management
  Your doctor will begin a primary assessment of your injury by taking a history which will help to determine the type of wound and risk of rabies virus infection. This will include the time of the injury, whether the dog was provoked and your general health and immunisation status.
  
  During the physical examination, the measurement and classification of the dog bite wound and the range of mobility will be recorded.

• Cleaning of the wound
  Saline or Ringer’s lactate can help reduce the risk of infection. Debris and devitalised tissues will also be removed.

• Wound closure
  Some doctors will close the wound, but this will depend on:
  • Age of wound
  • Location
  • Level of infection
    
    
• Antibiotic treatment
  Approximately 15 -20% of dog bite wounds become infected. Puncture wounds and hand wounds are more likely to become infected than scratches or tears.
  
  Most antibiotic treatment is done as an outpatient. If antibiotics fail to clear up the infection it may be necessary for you to be admitted to hospital.

• Follow-up treatment
  You will be instructed to elevate and immobilise the dog bite wound area, and are usually examined again within a day of the initial dog bite treatment.

How we can advice you on dog bite treatment
Have you been injured by a dog and need dog bite treatment? If so, we can arrange treatment and compensation for you. Our personal injury solicitors have an advanced understanding of the Dangerous Dogs Act (as amended in 1997) and can help ensure you receive the best treatment and maximum compensation award. More about our personal injury solicitors…

No cost, no risk
Our service is cost-free and without risk. At no stage will we ask you for any money to fund your claim, and no deductions will be made from your compensation. All costs will be paid for by the dog owner’s insurance company or under the Criminal Injuries Compensation Scheme, or if your claim is unsuccessful you will be protected from all costs. More about our no win, no fee policy…

Call us now for free legal advice
If you would like advice regarding dog bite treatment and making a claim for compensation, call us now on 0800 197 32 32 or complete the claim assessment form opposite and we’ll get back in touch with you.